Technology Enhanced Behavioral Activation Treatment for Substance Use

The purpose of this study is to: test the effect of a smartphone enhanced LETS ACT (LETS ACT-SE) on frequency of substance use use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test the relationship between neuromarkers of reward sensitivity on frequency of substance use.

Comorbid substance use disorder (SUD) and depression is highly prevalent and associated with elevated rates of post treatment relapse to substance use, HIV risk behavior, and associated poor mental and physical health outcomes. Further, rates of substance use and depression disproportionately affect minority groups and those living in poverty. Although efficacious, the often complex, specialized nature of CBT poses problems in its integration into substance use treatment programs. Budget cuts for mental health and substance use treatment both nationally and in the state of North Carolina, reduce availability of publically funded treatment programs and staff to patient ratios. To address this limitation, a behavioral activation (BA) treatment, the Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use (LETS ACT), was developed to treat depressive symptoms among a predominantly African American sample of low income illicit drug users currently receiving residential substance use treatment. Collectively, two Stage I studies and 1 year follow-up data from the investigators Stage II R01DA026424 indicate that compared to a control condition, LETS ACT is associated with significantly better outcomes for treatment retention, post treatment abstinence, HIV sexual risk behavior, depressive symptoms, and environmental reward. Although these strong outcomes suggest that LETS ACT may be ready for a Stage III dissemination trial, it is of note that there was a significant indirect effect of LETS ACT homework compliance on post treatment substance use and HIV sexual risk behavior via the theoretically proposed BA mechanism of action, environmental reward. In the context of limited access to care, these findings point to the need to identify cost-effective delivery-vehicles to increase treatment engagement outside of clinician sessions. Further, identifying neuroscience based biomarkers (neuromarkers) underlying key theoretical aspects of BA (i.e., reward sensitivity), and their relation to heterogeneity in BA treatment response among substance users with depression, are critical for the identification of accurately targeted interventions.

Patients are offered substance use group therapy including relapse prevention. They are also provided medical consultation on an ongoing basis as needed.

The Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use (LETS ACT) involves the discussion of the treatment rationale, identification of values and goals in various life areas and activities in line with chosen life areas, and training for patients to identify their cycle of negative mood and behavior using forms to track their daily goals.

Participants assigned to the smartphone-enhanced LETS ACT (LETS ACT-SE) condition will be provided the exact same treatment as outlined in LETS ACT, except that LETS ACT-SE participants will record their daily goals using smartphone technology.

Participants assigned to the smartphone-enhanced LETS ACT (LETS ACT-SE) condition will be provided the exact same treatment as outlined in LETS ACT, except that LETS ACT-SE participants will record their daily goals using smartphone technology.

Participants will receive the treatment typically provided to patients at the substance use treatment facility.

The TCU is a self-structured interview that measures HIV risk behavior in the domains of drug use and sex

Inclusion Criteria: Between 18 and 55 Meet criteria for DSM-V substance use disorder Elevated depressive symptoms (BDI ≥ 14) Exclusion Criteria: Limited mental competency (MMSE < 23) Psychosis The use of psychotropic medication for < 3 months The inability to give informed, voluntary, written consent to participate

Paquette CE, Rubalcava DT, Chen Y, Anand D, Daughters SB. A Mobile App to Enhance Behavioral Activation Treatment for Substance Use Disorder: App Design, Use, and Integration Into Treatment in the Context of a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Form Res. 2021 Nov 3;5(11):e25749. doi: 10.2196/25749.